FOOTBALL.

Gisborne Times, Volume X, Issue 978, 26 August 1903, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

THE WAIAPU TEAM. Our football scribe on the Coast sends us tho following critiquo on the YVaiapu Union’s representative fifteen, which takes the fiold for tho first time on Saturday afternoon next, when thoy play tho Poverty Bay representatives at Gisborne : T. Potao, full back, is sound on defenco, takes the ball well, but is a, trifle slow in gotting in his kick. Rangi, wing threequarter: Has represented Hawko’s Bay; smart attacking playor, who would score oftener if he handled the ballmoro suroly ; runs, kioks, and passes woll; rather weak on defenco. M. Murphy, oontro-threequarter : Too woll known in Gisborno for further comment, though it is somo yoars since he was soon ou tho threequarter line. Will strengthou tho defenco of the baoks. Pokihau, wing threequarter : Fast, is quick to seize au opening, and handles tho ball cleanly. G. Reynolds, fivo-eightbs : A sound allround player, who would bo brilliant if he had more pace. Hicks, half: Smart and resourceful; revels in stopping rushes. E. R. Murphy, wing-forward : Has represented Poverty Bay on many occasions in past seasons. Ho appears to possess a bottle of the elixir of life, and bo will ou Saturday, as Duncau did recently in Australia, prove of what stuff tho “ pre-Adamite *’ players wero composed. R. K. Murphy, wing-forward : Au ex. Wanganui College man, who knows tho game thoroughly, and makes good use of his height and weight. H. Fairiie, the veteran, is iu fine condition, and can he 'drpaide-d on to last from start to .finish.

Hsimss; Has represented Hawko’s .Bay; the Jiitor forward ; dashing in the open rand ©lever with his feet. Aurora is Asher-like, with plenty of dash, and of mercurial temperament when near his opponents’ goal-line. Beetham: The place-kick; is an honest worker, who shirks nothing. R. C. Murphy : Ex-Wanganui College ; sufficient to say that he is a worthy member of an illustrious family, and by no means the dimest constellation.

Taylor : A general in the pack, and a colonel in the open ; a fine forward. Mannel : A fast forward, who uses his feet cleverly, and is dangerous iu the open.